The teaching education ride at The Illawarra Grammar School (TIGS) is almost over for Greg Lanyon. But the retiring head of TIGS' senior school plans on enjoying the ride for a couple more weeks yet. "I'm really open to change and I suppose that's why I've enjoyed the ride. It is quite a different school now to when I first came here," he said. Mr Lanyon started at TIGS in 1984 as a teacher. Over the years he has held various roles including head of department, head of house and director of student wellbeing. Read more: Traditional classrooms make way for 21st century learning at TIGS But throughout the 35-year journey he has maintained a teaching role within the school. "Teaching economics has been one of the joys and it still is," Mr Lanyon said. "I still love teaching my economics class and engaging with the big issues like Brexit and the China-US debate has been great. "Engaging with young kids has also been a really important part of staying in touch first of all with what teachers are doing in the classroom as well as keeping in touch with kids, to give some credibility." Mr Lanyon has also seen "incredible changes" at the school and in education. He said TIGS was a relatively small school in size and stature when he started. But as the region grew, student numbers grew and more school buildings were built. "The school was quite unique at that stage in that we were probably the only independent school that was co-educational," Mr Lanyon said. "More recently we've moved to the International Baccalaureate program. "We've also had a real shift in the way we approach teaching and learning in the school. It is really adapting to a changing world, very much focused on 21st century learning, which is great." Read more: SMART Mangerton teenager Macinley Butson wins another award Mr Lanyon said retirement was bittersweet but he was looking forward to spending more time with the grand children, travelling and surfing. "I love surfing so I imagine I'll be able to go surfing on a Tuesday, which will be unusual," he said. TIGS will hold a farewell event for Mr Lanyon on September 19 from 5pm. Those interested in attending can RSVP here.

But throughout the 35-year journey he has maintained a teaching role within the school.

"Teaching economics has been one of the joys and it still is," Mr Lanyon said.

"I still love teaching my economics class and engaging with the big issues like Brexit and the China-US debate has been great.

"Engaging with young kids has also been a really important part of staying in touch first of all with what teachers are doing in the classroom as well as keeping in touch with kids, to give some credibility."

Mr Lanyon has also seen "incredible changes" at the school and in education.

He said TIGS was a relatively small school in size and stature when he started.

But as the region grew, student numbers grew and more school buildings were built.

"The school was quite unique at that stage in that we were probably the only independent school that was co-educational," Mr Lanyon said.

"More recently we've moved to the International Baccalaureate program.

"We've also had a real shift in the way we approach teaching and learning in the school. It is really adapting to a changing world, very much focused on 21st century learning, which is great."